THE ASSOCIATION: The USS LITTLE
ROCK Association is a not-for-profit organization with
an IRC 501 (C19) tax status, incorporated
in New York State. Its membership is comprised primarily
of veterans of service in USS LITTLE ROCK (CL 92)
from 1945 to 1949, or the ship's modernized configuration USS
LITTLE ROCK (CLG 4) from 1960 to 1976.
The USS LITTLE ROCK Association Scholarship Program was initiated in 2001.
2007
First Navy Winner
Second Navy Winner
Descendent Winner
Lcdr. Bob Baker USN (Ret) (left) presents a USS Little Rock Association descendant scholarship award to Ms. Lauren Coliins Medlin, granddaughter of Mr. Claude Manuel (right), at the the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina on October 26, 2007. Also in attendance were Ms. Medlin’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. Tim Medlin, her grandmother, Mrs. Annie Manuel, Mr. Buchheit (Academic Advisor), David Goss (Director, Academic Advising and Planning), Dr. Charles Kaiser (Chair of the Dept. of Psychology), and several of Ms. Medlin’s classmates.
Claude A. Manuel, Lauren's grandfather was a F/1c aboard USS Little Rock CL-92 in 1946 and 1947.
2006
First Winner
Capt. Kent Siegel, Mrs. Kim Curtis, OC Matthew E. Curtis, Col. Bruce Barnes USMC
with Mr. & Mrs. Curtis's sons
at University of Idaho, Moscow, ID on 28 Sept 2006
Second Winner
First Navy Winner Staff Sergeant Altan D. Kandiyeli, USMC, is
enrolled in a Secondary Education Major at the University of Idaho where
he is attached to the NROTC Unit. He was selected for this course
of study through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program based
on his outstanding 8-year service record as a helicopter power plant specialist,
crew chief and instructor. Upon graduation, he will be commissioned
2nd Lieutenant, USMC.
A USS LITTLE ROCK scholarship award was presented
to SSGT Altan Kandiyeli at the University of Idaho on October
4, 2007 . Captain Kent Siegel did the honors for the Association,
conveying the first of two $1000 checks and the now-traditional framed
certificate. Witnessing the presentation was the assembled battalion
of the University of Idaho - Washington State University NROTC unit, SSGT
Kandiyeli's wife Kari and their three children, as well as skipper CAPT
Scott Ryder, USN (shown above on left) and his staff.
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In October Captain Siegel received a
very nice "Thank You" card and note from SSGT Kandiyeli. Click on the card
to see the note.
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Second Navy WinnerOfficer Candidate Celeste D. Renoewick, USN,
is an Industrial and Systems Engineering Major at Auburn University.
She entered her 3-year course of study through the Seaman to Admiral Program
and is attached to the NROTC Unit at Auburn. Her enlisted service
record includes designation as an Honor Graduate at Boot Camp and completion
of an Associate of Arts Degree (4.0 GPA) in her free time. She will
be commissioned Ensign, USN, upon graduation.
USS Little Rock Association's Bill Stankiewicz
presents a scholarship award to OC Celeste D. Renoewick at the Auburn
University NROTC unit.
Pictured with Bill and OC Renoewick is the NROTC's CO, CAPT Thomas R. Williams, USN.
Pictured with Bill and OC Renoewick is the NROTC's CO, CAPT Thomas R. Williams, USN.
Descendent WinnerMs. Lauren Collins Medlin is a Psychology
Major at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. Ms Medlin
also volunteers at both the Medical University of South Carolina and the
Westview Behavioral Health Services facility, is involved with the Miss
America Foundation scholarship competition, and represents the College of
Charleston as a cheerleader.
Lcdr. Bob Baker USN (Ret) (left) presents a USS Little Rock Association descendant scholarship award to Ms. Lauren Coliins Medlin, granddaughter of Mr. Claude Manuel (right), at the the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina on October 26, 2007. Also in attendance were Ms. Medlin’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. Tim Medlin, her grandmother, Mrs. Annie Manuel, Mr. Buchheit (Academic Advisor), David Goss (Director, Academic Advising and Planning), Dr. Charles Kaiser (Chair of the Dept. of Psychology), and several of Ms. Medlin’s classmates.
Claude A. Manuel, Lauren's grandfather was a F/1c aboard USS Little Rock CL-92 in 1946 and 1947.
2006
First Winner
Officer Candidate Matthew E. Curtis,
USN, is enrolled in a Political Science Major at the University of
Idaho where he is attached to the NROTC Unit. He is a veteran
fleet sailor with 9 years of exemplary service as an Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Technician and additional quali- fications in both Air and
Surface Warfare. He entered his 4-year course of study through the
Sea- man to Admiral Program and will be commissioned as an Ensign, USN,
upon graduation.
Capt. Kent Siegel, Mrs. Kim Curtis, OC Matthew E. Curtis, Col. Bruce Barnes USMC
with Mr. & Mrs. Curtis's sons
at University of Idaho, Moscow, ID on 28 Sept 2006
Second Winner
Officer Candidate Serena G.Gyi,
USN, is an Electrical Engineering Major at Auburn University. She
entered her 4-year course of study through the Seaman to Admiral Program
and is attached to the NROTC Unit at Auburn. Her enlisted service
record includes honors for class leadership at Boot Camp, Nuclear
Field Class “A” School and Enlisted Nuclear Power School. She
will be commissioned as an Ensign, USN, upon graduation.
Bob Baker (USS Little Rock Assoc.) presents OC Serena Gyi, USN
with Certificate and check at Auburn University, Auburn, AL on 14 Sept 2006.
2005
First Winner
Officer Candidate Cheryl Q. Castro,
USN, is a rated Hospital Corpsman enrolled in a Nursing Major at
Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and assigned to the
Hampton Roads NROTC Consortium Unit. She entered a 4-year college
program, on active duty, through the Seaman to Admiral (STA 21)
Program and aims to be commissioned in the Navy Nurse Corps upon
graduation.
Capt. Brown, O. C. Castro, and Lcdr. Bob Baker
Second Winner
Staff Sergeant Andy Thaxton,
USMC, is a Political Science Major at Texas A & M University and
is attached to the NROTC Unit at that school. He entered a 4-year
college program through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
(MECEP). Entering the Corps at 17, he has performed in an exemplary
manner over 9 years of active duty and will be commissioned 2nd
Lieutenant, USMC, upon graduation.
Left to right, COL Steve Keim ROTC CO, SSGT Andy Thaxton, and CAPT Kent Siegel USN (Ret)
after presentation of USS Little Rock Scholarship award to SSGT Thaxton.
2004
First Winner
SGT Nicholas F. Goodwin,
USMC, Finance major, Univ. of Memphis.
University of Memphis ROTC CO CAPT Ron Zaperach and SSgt Nicholas F. Goodwin, USMC,
with CAPT Kent Siegel (USS Little Rock Assoc.) who presented a framed certificate and a $1000 check
to SSgt Goodwin on October 6, 2006. Goodwin had at that point eight years of exemplary
enlisted service (USMC) and a 3.76 GPA.
University of Memphis ROTC CO CAPT Ron Zaperach and SSgt Nicholas F. Goodwin, USMC,
with CAPT Kent Siegel (USS Little Rock Assoc.) who presented a framed certificate and a $1000 check
to SSgt Goodwin on October 6, 2006. Goodwin had at that point eight years of exemplary
enlisted service (USMC) and a 3.76 GPA.
Second Winner
MIDN 2/C Lucas R. Scurby, Mechanical
Engineering major attending first Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and
then the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.
(L to R) Little Rock Association's LCDR Bob Baker, MIDN 2/C Lucas Scruby and
CAPT John Weineckeon 14 September 2004 after Midn Scruby received his scholarship award.
The award was presented on behalf of the Association by Bob Baker.
(L to R) Little Rock Association's LCDR Bob Baker, MIDN 2/C Lucas Scruby and
CAPT John Weineckeon 14 September 2004 after Midn Scruby received his scholarship award.
The award was presented on behalf of the Association by Bob Baker.
2003
First Winner
Sergeant Timothy L. Patrick,
USMC, Philosophy major, Ohio State University.
SGT Timothy Patrick, USMC receives his Scholarship Award
from CAPT Kent Siegel, USN (Ret) USS Little Rock Association
Second Winner
MIDN 3/c Jessica E.
Chiafair, Mechanical Engineering major, Mass. Institute of Technology.
2002
First Winner
MIDN 2/C Teresa Adkins, University of Idaho.
Second Winner
Brett Ackerbauer, University of Wisconsin.
MIDN Brett Ackerbauer, USN
2001
First Winner
MIDN 2/C Erica Libbey, University of Florida.
Second Winner
Darrin Rippentrop, University of Minnesota.
Following is the scholarship announcement that is sent each spring to all NROTC units by
the program office at the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) headquarters.
THE PROGRAM: The
USS LITTLE ROCK Association will provide financial assistance,
on an annual basis, to several (this year one, possibly
two will be offered) deserving students enrolled in one of
the NROTC Programs who are selected from a competitive group
of applicants meeting the eligibility requirements,
as set forth below. Specifically, grants of $1000 will be made
to selected recipients entering their third
academic year in any of the several NROTC programs (scholarship,
college program, Enlisted Commissioning Program,
and Seaman to Admiral). A follow-on grant of $1000 will
be made to each previous award recipient who has satisfactorily
completed the third year and is advancing into the fourth
academic year within his/her NROTC program, subject
to approval and certification by (CNET) . The number
of annual awards will be based on the Association’s financial
ability to support this program
ELIGIBILITY: NROTC students,
as noted above, who are the children or direct descendants
of active, retired, or honorably discharged
members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, or U.S. Coast
Guard, or Reserve components; or who themselves
are serving or have served in any of the Regular or Reserve sea
services; or who are USS LITTLE ROCK Association "Junior Associates"
who have been members in good standing
for at least two years, are eligible for further consideration
on the basis of individual merit. Candidates,
otherwise eligible, must have demonstrated superior leadership
qualities and aptitude for the service, and shall
have achieved a cumulative grade point average (Cum GPA) of at least
3.0, in all accredited course work, at the time
of nomination.
APPLICATION: Interested, qualified
candidates may apply during their second academic year
in letter format addressing each of the eligibility
criteria and first endorsed by the Professor of Naval Science.
(The letter shall contain text of approximately
500 words describing why the candidate considers him/herself
worthy of the award.) Applications/nominations
must be received no later than 15 May 03. Initial
selection will be conducted by a duly comprised board within
CNET that is impaneled to perform this function
for NROTC scholarship programs such as this. Selection
results will be forwarded to the USS LITTLE ROCK
Association for review and final selection.
AWARD: Award recipients will be notified by the USS LITTLE ROCK Association as soon as selection is final, and awards will be made as early as possible in the recipient's third academic year. Each award will be in the form of a $1000 check made out to the individual winner and sent via his/her commanding officer for presentation at an appropriate ceremony. The Association will make every effort to have a representative on hand to present the check along with a certificate of merit. The second year's $1000 check will be sent to the winner via his/her commanding officer after continuing merit has been confirmed. Winners are announced at the Association's annual reunion, normally held in July of each year.
CHANGE: Notice from the Scholarship Committee Chairman - July 2006
The Association Board of Directors, at their 2006 spring meeting, authorized a modification to the Scholarship Program. In addition to our current competition for NROTC candidates, the program will be expanded in 2007 to provide an opportunity for qualifying college students who are direct descendants of USS LITTLE ROCK veterans to compete for awards. An Annual Announcement (call for candidates) will be included in LITCOMS in the winter edition and be placed on the website in February each year. Provisions of this new expansion are as shown below:
Offspring Program Application Requirements:
- Must be a direct descendant (child/grandchild/great grandchild) of a USS LITTLE ROCK veteran who is an active Association member.
- Must be a college student enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours/semester) in an accredited 4-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree.
- Must have completed 2nd year of college.
- Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better as verified by an official transcript
- Written endorsement by academic counselor
- 500 word essay describing what they believe makes them worthy of the award
- 3 volunteers, as designated by the President.
- Will ensure applications are complete and that candidates meet all requirements.
- Redact names and all / any reference to the sponsoring Association member.
- Forward, approved, redacted applications to the Scholarship Committee w/o expressing any judgments on quality, merit, or relative standing.
- Evaluate all application packages, regardless of the source of eligibility, on the basis of merit alone.
- Stack those considered worthy in order of merit.
- Determine winner(s) based on order of competition and funding available.
- Report results to BOD, then Business meeting, at the Annual Reunion.
- Arrange for dissemination of the announcement via LITCOMS and the Association's website.
Questions regarding the Scholarship Program should be directed to Kent Siegel, Scholarship Committee Chairman, at:
Phone: (703) 360-8948, or e-mail: ksiegel@cox.net